Interrelationships between Length of the Day, Moon Distance, Phanerozoic Geodynamic Cycles, Tidal Dissipation and Earth’s Core: Review and Analysis

The rotation of the Earth and the related length of the day (LOD) are predominantly affected by tidal dissipation through the Moon and the growth of the Earth’s core. Due to the increased concentration of mass around the rotation axis of the spinning Earth during the growth of the core the rotation should have been accelerated. Controversially the tidal dissipation by the Moon, which is mainly dependent on the availability of open shallow seas and the kind of Moon escape from a nearby position, acts towards a deceleration of the rotating Earth. Measurements of LOD for Phanerozoic and Precambrian times open ways to solve questions concerning the geodynamical history of the Earth. These measurements encompass investigations of growth patterns in fossils and depositional patterns in sediments (Cyclostratigraphy, Tidalites, Stromatolites, Rhythmites). These patterns contain information on the LOD and on the changing distance between Earth and Moon and can be used as well for a discussion about the growth of the Earth’s core. By updating an older paper with its simple approach as well as incorporating newly published results provided by the geoscientific community, a moderate to fast growth of the core in a hot early Earth will be favored controversially to the assumption of a delayed development of the core in an originally cold Earth. Core development with acceleration of Earth’s rotation and the contemporaneous slowing down due to tidal dissipation during the filling of the ocean may significantly interrelate.

Modeling the energetic electron fluxes in the inner radiation belt based on a drift-source model

The Macao Science Satellite-1(MSS-1),designed by the Macao University of Science and Technology and the National Space Science Center(NSSC)of China,is equipped to detect the fine structure of the magnetic field over the South Atlantic Anomaly(SAA)region,monitoring geomagnetic field variations,and obtaining the energetic electron spectrum distributions in the Earth’s inner radiation belt.In this study,we simulate the distributions of trapped,quasi-trapped,and untrapped electrons along the orbit of MSS-1 based on a drift-source model.The simulation results show that the particle detector with 90°looking direction can observe trapped electrons in the SAA region,untrapped electrons in the regions conjugated with the SAA region at the north hemisphere,and quasitrapped electrons in all other regions.In contrast,the detectors with<60°looking directions can measure only untrapped electrons.Generally,quasi-trapped electron fluxes accumulate along the drift trajectory and are due primarily to CRAND,until reaching the SAA region where quasi-trapped electrons are all lost into the atmosphere.

Possible Evolutionary Models in the Initially Hydride Earth Theory

A modern view of the properties of chemical elements has confirmed the theory of the hot origin of the Earth. The next step in developing this theory was the hypothesis of the initial hydride Earth. In this work, we attempted to find additional evidence for this hypothesis and show additional effects that flow from it. The effect of the physical properties of atoms and ions on their behavior during the formation of the Earth was studied. The maximum contribution to the distribution of elements was made by those elements whose content in the original protoplanets of the disk was the maximum. Correlation dependence is obtained, which allows one to calculate the distribution of elements in the protoplanetary disk. It was shown that hydrogen was the main element in the proto substance located in the zone of the Earth’s formation. In this case, various chemical compounds formed, most represented by hydrogen compounds—hydrides. Since the pressure inside the Earth is 375 GPa, this factor forces the chemical compounds to adopt stoichiometry and structure that would not be available in atmospheric conditions. It is shown that many chemical elements at high pressure in a hydrogen medium form simple hydrides and super hydrides—polyhydrides with high hydrogen content. Pressure leads to a higher density of matter inside the planet. Given the possibility of forming polyhydrides, there is the possibility of binding the initially available hydrogen in an amount that can reach 49.3 mole%. Young Earth could contain about 10.7 mass% of hydrogen in hydrides, polyhydrides, and adsorbed form is almost twice higher than previous estimates. This fact additionally confirms the theory of the original hydride Earth. In hydrides, the occurrence of the phenomenon of superconductivity was discovered. Polyhydrides were shown as potential superconductors with a high critical temperature above 200 K. We, based on these data, hypothesized the presence of superconducting properties in the Earth’s core, which explains the presence of a magnetic field in the Earth, as well as the unevenness and instability of this field and the possibility of migration of the Earth’s poles. The fact that the Earth has a hydroid core causes its change in time due to the instability of hydrides. Arranged several possible models of the destruction of the Earth’s core. The calculations showed that both models give close results. These results give predictions that can be measured. The proposed models also made it possible to estimate the initial size of the Earth. Possible ways of further testing the hypothesis of the initial hydride Earth is shown.

Electrical and thermal conductivity of Earth's core and its thermal evolution——A review

The Earth’s core is composed of iron,nickel,and a small amount of light elements(e.g.,Si,S,O,C,N,H and P).The thermal conductivities of these components dominate the adiabatic heat flow in the core,which is highly correlated to geodynamo.Here we review a large number of studies on the electrical and thermal conductivity of iron and iron alloys and discuss their implications on the thermal evolution of the Earth’s core.In summary,we suggest that the Wiedemann-Franz law,commonly used to convert the electrical resistivity to thermal conductivity for metals and alloys,should be cautiously applied under extremely high pressure-temperature(P-T)conditions(e.g.,Earth’s core)because the Lorentz number may be P-T dependent.To date,the discrepancy in the thermal conductivity of iron and iron alloys remains between those from the resistivity measurements and the thermal diffusivity modeling,where the former is systematically larger.Recent studies reconcile the electrical resistivity by first-principles calculation and direct measurements,and this is a good start in resolving this discrepancy.Due to an overall higher thermal conductivity than previously thought,the inner core age is presently constrained at~1.0 Ga.However,light elements in the core would likely lower the thermal conductivity and prolong the crystallization of the inner core.Meanwhile,whether thermal convection can power the dynamo before the inner core formation depends on the amounts of the proper light elements in the core.More works are needed to establish the thermal evolution model of the core.

The core-merging giant impact in Earth's accretion history and its implications

The Earth’s accretion process is accompanied by a large number of collisions.It is widely accepted that collisions dominate the Earth’s late accretion stage.Among all these collisions,there is a special type of collision called Core-merging giant impact(CMGI),in which much or most the impactor’s core merges directly with the protoEarth’s core.This core-merging scenario plays an important role in the Earth’s accretion process and deeply affects the formation of the Earth’s core and mantle.However,because CMGI is a small probability event,it has not been fully studied.Here we use the SPH method to comprehensively study all possible CMGIs in the Earth’s accretion history.We find that CMGI only occurs in the initial conditions with small impact angle,small impact velocity and big impactor.We further discuss the implications of CMGI.We are confident that CMGI inevitably causes the chemical disequilibrium of the Earth’s core and mantle.The CMGI process also brings many light elements into the Earth’s core.In particular,if the Moon-forming giant impact is a CMGI,then CMGI can also explain the abnormal content of HSEs in the Earth’s current mantle.

Detection and interpretation of the Earth's free oscillations excited by the great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake with GGP station data

The mode serials of the Earth’s free oscillation provide some important information on the Earth’s deep structure and superconducting gravimeters （SG） can investigate the phenomena of the Earth’s free oscillations with high accuracy. The great Sumatra-Andaman earthquake fully excited the Earth’s free oscillations and these signals were perfectly recorded by five superconducting gravimeters in the globe. After the pre-treatment and spectral analysis on the SG observation data, we obtained the experimented mode serials of the Earth’s free oscillations consisting of 147 modes with GGP station data. These observed modes were themselves some new important data for the study of the Earth’s deep structure. On the basis of the discussions on some checked inner-core-sensitive modes, we distinguished three layers from the inner core, and the boundary of the upper layer was compatible with the formerly known transition zone in the inner core based on seismic body waves and supported that there were the hemispherical variation and very lower shear velocity zone in the lower inner core.

Thermonuclear Reaction as the Main Source of the Earth’s Energy

The article shows that neither radioactive decay of long-lived radioactive isotopes nor the Earth’s “primordial” heat supply can explain a huge energy formed in the Earth’s core. A hypothesis is introduced that the main source of Earth’s energy is the thermonuclear reactions in the solid inner Earth’s core which consist of hydrides of irons and other metals.

地球内核超离子态铁合金及其效应

超离子态介于固态与液态之间,被认为广泛存在于地球和行星内部。计算研究发现,在地球内核温度压力条件下,铁-氢、铁-碳、铁-氧合金处于超离子态,表现为氢、碳、氧等元素在固态铁合金中像液体一样快速流动。流动的轻元素导致铁合金软化及地震波速降低,与地球物理观测到的内核密度亏损和低剪切波速的特征一致。内核超离子态铁-氢合金可以与地磁场发生相互作用,在偶极地磁场的驱动下形成定向排列组构,从而解释了内核的各向异性结构成因。内核超离子态铁-轻元素合金的发现更新了人们对内核物态的认知,对掌握地球内核的结构、组成和演化以及内核结构与地球磁场的关系等具有重要意义。

地球内核各向异性结构成因:矿物学模型和动力学机制

地震学观测表明,地球内核具有复杂的不均一性和各向异性结构,认知内核结构的关键在于研究内核各向异性结构的矿物学组成和动力学机制。本文将介绍内核各向异性结构特征,并探讨其矿物模型和动力学机制。在内核温压下,六方相(hcp)和体心立方(bcc)相铁合金都表现出各向异性,若其快轴沿自转轴产生定向排布,则可以解释内核南北方向快、赤道方向慢的各向异性特征。轻元素的加入将显著改变铁合金的各向异性,特别是超离子态铁-氢合金的快轴方向随氢含量的增加而发生倒转。内核各向异性的动力学机制可分为3种:(1)凝固时晶体的定向生长。凝固时的组构在内核温度下会很快消失,因此该机制不是导致内核各向异性结构的主要原因;(2)外应力驱动。外应力驱动的定向排列需要考虑内核物质的流变机制,目前的模型主要基于刚性内核假设,要求内核主要发生位错蠕变且黏度大于1018Pa·s;(3)扩散内应力驱动。若内核处于超离子态,地磁场驱动轻元素定向扩散所产生的内应力可驱动晶格的定向排布。上述机制的驱动力(化学对流、热对流、地磁场)均来自外核,因此了解外核动力学与内核动力学的相互作用是认知内核组成和结构的关键。

高压下Fe_(92.5)O_(2.2)S_(5.3)的熔化温度

采用反向碰撞法与光分析技术,测量了Fe_(92.5)O_(2.2)S_(5.3)(质量分数比)在208GPa下的声速,发现固态Fe_(92.5)O_(2.2)S_(5.3)的纵波声速在144GPa下开始减小,直到165GPa完全转变为液态体波声速,表明样品的完全熔化温度为(3 500±400)K。将该熔化温度作为参考点,应用Lindeman定律并外推至地球内外核边界可知,Fe_(92.5)O_(2.2)S_(5.3)的熔化温度为(5 000±400)K。通过比较Fe、Fe-O、Fe-S以及Fe-O-S的熔化温度,发现O元素对Fe熔化温度的影响很小,S元素对Fe熔化温度的降低与其含量成正比。如果外地核中S的质量分数为2%~6%,则地球内外核界面温度为5 000~5 400K。

THE COMPONENT OF 29.8 YEARS IN POLAR MOTION AND △ l. o.d. AND OSCILLATION OF EARTH'S INNER CORE

This paper deals with the components of pcriod of 29.8 yr in polar motion and △ I. o. d. The oscillation of inner core (OIC), as a most possible cause of them, is proposed. Parameters of oscillation are found and its effects on Earth’s mass center (EMC), distance of observatories to EMC, gravity and latitude are estimated.

Check of Earth's free oscillations excited by Sumatra-Andaman Large Earthquake and discussions on the anisotropy of inner core

Sumatra-Andaman Large Earthquake on Dec. 26,2004 generated not only the Indian Ocean Tsunami but also the Earth's free oscillations (EFO). The signals of Earth's free oscillations were perfectly re-corded by the superconducting gravimeter C0-32 at Wuhan station in China. After the pre-treatment and spectral analysis on the observational data from Wuhan station,we obtained more than ninety EFO modes including 42 fundamental modes,2 radial modes and 49 harmonic modes. On the basis of the discussions on some observed harmonic modes and abnormal splitting phenomena,we considered that the real rigidity might be lower than the theoretical prediction of PREM model in the inner core and however the anisotropy of compressive wave was brightly higher than the present estimations in the inner core. This suggested that the anisotropy of the inner core could be much more complicated than our present understanding,and there might be some new geophysical phenomena in the formation process of the inner core.

Earth's Solid Inner Core: Seismic Implications of Freezing and Melting

Seismic P velocity structure is determined for the upper 500 km of the inner core and lowermost 200 km of the outer core from differential travel times and amplitude ratios. Results confirm the existence of a globally uniform F region of reduced P velocity gradient in the lowermost outer core, consistent with iron enrichment near the boundary of a solidifying inner core. P velocity of the inner core between the longitudes 45~E and 180~E （quasi-Eastern Hemisphere） is greater than or equal to that of an AK135-F reference model whereas that between 180~W and 45~E （quasi-Western Hemisphere） is less than that of the reference model Observation of this heterogeneity to a depth of 550 km below the inner core and the existence of transitions rather than sharp boundaries between quasi-hemispheres favor either no or very slow inner core super rotation or oscillations with respect to the mantle. Degree- one seismic heterogeneity may be best explained by active inner core freezing beneath the equatorial Indian Ocean dominating structure in the quasi-Eastern Hemisphere and inner core melting beneath equatorial Pacific dominating structure in the quasi-Western Hemisphere. Variations in waveforms also suRgest the existence of smaller-scale （1 to 100 km） heterogeneity.

From the Beginning of the World to the Beginning of Life on Earth

Hypersphere World-Universe Model (WUM) is, in fact, a Paradigm Shift in Cosmology [1]. In this paper, we provide seven Pillars of WUM: Medium of the World;Inter-Connectivity of Primary Cosmological Parameters;Creation of Matter;Multicomponent Dark Matter;Macroobjects;Volcanic Rotational Fission;Dark Matter Reactors. We describe the evolution of the World from the Beginning up to the birth of the Solar System and discuss the condition of the Early Earth before the beginning of life on it.

Foreword: East-West Asymmetry of the Inner Core and Earth Rotational Dynamics

In the last several years since 2004 an important new finding has been unveiled by combined efforts due to Japanese （Satoru Tanaka）, French （Renaud Deguen, Y Albousierre and Marc Monnereau）, American and Chinese geophysicists （Xiaodong Song and Vernon F Cormier） who employed from unambi- guous detailed seismological evidence and explained by clear theoretical and sound laboratory arguments drawn from fluid dynamics that there exists a strong East-West hemi-spherical asymmetry on the inner- outer core boundary,

Warming of Antarctica as a Degassing Consequence

The warming of Antarctica observed in recent years is one of the consequences of deep degassing associated with the northward drift of the Earth’s core. Ascending streams of hydrogen and other gases move along the tectonic faults of the lithosphere. When they get into an oxidizing environment, there is an increase in the amount of water in the ocean and air, which is accompanied by a decrease in oxygen concentrations and the release of huge amounts of energy. The provisions of the proposed theory were tested using the method of mental critical experiment. The reality of atmospheric effects of subsurface degassing is confirmed by the facts of synchronous destruction of ozone in the stratosphere and an increase in the temperature of the surface air layer. These events usually coincide with releases of ozone-depleting and heat-generating hydrogen from the subsurface.

Earth's Core Is Sizzling At 9930 Degrees

今年7月21日以来,台湾接二连三的大地震引起了世人对“天灾”的恐慌,也进一步引起了科学界对地球本身研究的关注。其中的一个重大问题是地核温度有多高,本文的标题告诉读者:9930 degrees(Fahrenheit)。当然,这里的sizzling不会令我们联想到咝咝作响、香气扑鼻的美食,带给我们却是一份炙人的恐惧。 接着,本文饶有兴趣地介绍了科学家们使用的测量方法,包括quantumphysics和two powerfulf parallel(并行的)computers,最关键的却是铁的熔融温度。阅读本文,可使读者接触不少地球物理知识。有离题之嫌的是,文章最后一段谈的是计算机,不过,其生动的语言倒不失为本文的一个亮点,当给读者留下深刻的印象。

土质心墙坝水力劈裂影响因素的研究

分析研究了心墙与坝壳的泊松比、弹性模量以及心墙倾斜度等因素对心墙水力劈裂的影响 .研究结果表明 ,心墙泊松比对心墙水力劈裂影响较大 ,提高心墙与坝壳泊松比都有利于心墙防止水力劈裂 .另外 ,坝壳与心墙的弹性模量比愈大 ,心墙愈易产生水力劈裂 ,斜心墙比直心墙更利于防止水力劈裂 .

地球内核平动振荡的地震激发

本文利用球对称、非自转、弹性和各向同性地球模型(SNREI)理论模拟计算了地球内核平动振荡的地震激发.以2004年12月26日苏门答腊大地震为例,讨论震源机制解(标量地震矩、走向、倾角、滑动角和深度)对内核平动振荡振幅激发的影响;基于全球21个Mw8.0级以上的大地震,分别计算10个数据资料较好的超导重力台站理论上可以接收到的内核平动振荡信号的频率域振幅.结果表明标量地震矩对内核平动振荡振幅的影响最大,走向、倾角、滑动角和深度对内核平动振荡振幅也有一定影响,但是影响相对较小;不同区域获得的由大地震引起的内核平动振荡信号的幅度存在显著差异,此结果为频率域多台站加权迭积提供了计算基础.另外,只有武汉台站接收到的2011年日本Tohoku Mw9.1地震激发的内核平动振荡的振幅值达到了地球表面高精度、高灵敏度的超导重力仪检测水平,振幅值为0.0103nm·s-2.结果说明地震激发的内核平动振荡的信号极其微弱,信号几乎淹没在背景噪声中,必须利用多台站迭积法才有可能将信号提取出来.

水绿矾的状态方程和高压熔化

用阻抗匹配法和压电探针技术测量了初始密度为 1.714g/cm3(孔隙率α =ρ0 / ρ0 0 =1.898/ 1.714 =1.10 7)的水绿矾 (FeSO4 ·7H2 O)的冲击压缩线 ,发现其在 0～ 10 0GPa范围内存在两个明显相区 :含有部分熔融的低压相和完全熔化的高压相。在两个相区内 ,冲击波速度D和波后粒子速度u可分别描述为 :D =0 .5 9+2 .0 6u(u <3.12km/s)和D =3.18+1.2 2 3u(u≥ 3.12km/s)。从冲击压缩数据出发 ,用欧拉有限应变理论得到了其等熵状态方程。其熔化方程可用pm(GPa) =0 .15 9(Tm(K) / 10 0 0 ) 6.3371+0 .69来近似描述。